My dear friend Rochelle sent me a book, "I am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. It has touched my heart and helped me to realize what a sacred and wonderful calling Motherhood is. It has helped me be proud of what I do - I am a Mother!
I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes from it - for all my mother-friends.
"When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire, or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in Congresses?" (Elder Neal A. Maxwell).
At times, there may be few immediate rewards for those of us who are mothers. There are no Christmas bonuses, no promotions, no paid vacations. But there is love, there is laughter, there is joy. And there are assurances. For, as the Apostle Paul taught, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him". A mother who loves the Lord and teaches her children to do the same - and above else - cannot be denied this blessing.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife said: "How do we get women to stop saying "I'm just a mother'. Or 'I used to be such and such, but now I'm just a mother" We need to market motherhood. So I cam up with a saying: 'Motherhood: 24/7 on the front lines of humanity. Are you man enough to try it?'"
"In our society, we give motherhood plenty of lip service, we pat moms on the head, bring them flowers on Mother's Day, and honor them before crowds. But at the end of the day, we don't extend them the same respect we would a professor, a dentist, an accountant or a judge. I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one the of greatest spiritual teachers there is. To create an environment that's stimulating and nurturing, to pass on the sense of responsibility to another human being to raise a child who understands that he or she is created from good and is capable of anything-I know for sure that few callings are more honorable. To play down mothering as small is to crack the very foundation on which greatness stands. The world can only value mothering to the extent that women everywhere stand and declare that it must be so. In our hands we hold the power to transform the perception of motherhood... We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as 'just a mom'. It is on her back that great nations are built" (Oprah Winfrey).
I wish I could transcribe the entire book - it is incredibly and inspiring. If you can - please go get it and read it!
This weekend has been McCallie graduation. I have watched as these boys are graduating from high school. You can tell many of them are from incredible families. They have been taught by their mothers and fathers principles of faith, hard work, confidence and achievement. Many of them have been honored for their different achievements. As I have attended the ceremonies, I have wondered what these recipients in particular mother's taught them to reach such high levels of achievement and mostly, to be so loved by their peers. I have wondered what I can teach Brooklyn so she can 'Glorify God' in such a way. All I can figure is that they have deep routed faith in God and know that they are loved - lessons only a mother can teach so well.
I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes from it - for all my mother-friends.
"When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire, or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in Congresses?" (Elder Neal A. Maxwell).At times, there may be few immediate rewards for those of us who are mothers. There are no Christmas bonuses, no promotions, no paid vacations. But there is love, there is laughter, there is joy. And there are assurances. For, as the Apostle Paul taught, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him". A mother who loves the Lord and teaches her children to do the same - and above else - cannot be denied this blessing.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife said: "How do we get women to stop saying "I'm just a mother'. Or 'I used to be such and such, but now I'm just a mother" We need to market motherhood. So I cam up with a saying: 'Motherhood: 24/7 on the front lines of humanity. Are you man enough to try it?'"
"In our society, we give motherhood plenty of lip service, we pat moms on the head, bring them flowers on Mother's Day, and honor them before crowds. But at the end of the day, we don't extend them the same respect we would a professor, a dentist, an accountant or a judge. I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one the of greatest spiritual teachers there is. To create an environment that's stimulating and nurturing, to pass on the sense of responsibility to another human being to raise a child who understands that he or she is created from good and is capable of anything-I know for sure that few callings are more honorable. To play down mothering as small is to crack the very foundation on which greatness stands. The world can only value mothering to the extent that women everywhere stand and declare that it must be so. In our hands we hold the power to transform the perception of motherhood... We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as 'just a mom'. It is on her back that great nations are built" (Oprah Winfrey).
I wish I could transcribe the entire book - it is incredibly and inspiring. If you can - please go get it and read it!
This weekend has been McCallie graduation. I have watched as these boys are graduating from high school. You can tell many of them are from incredible families. They have been taught by their mothers and fathers principles of faith, hard work, confidence and achievement. Many of them have been honored for their different achievements. As I have attended the ceremonies, I have wondered what these recipients in particular mother's taught them to reach such high levels of achievement and mostly, to be so loved by their peers. I have wondered what I can teach Brooklyn so she can 'Glorify God' in such a way. All I can figure is that they have deep routed faith in God and know that they are loved - lessons only a mother can teach so well.
Comments
Every mother should own this book!!